Do Potato Chips Cause Cancer?

Worried about news reports that acrylamide, a chemical in fried and baked starchy foods, causes cancer?

Here's what you need to remember: So far, acrylamide is known to cause cancer only in animals, not in humans, and only at levels far, far higher than the levels in food. Every slice of bread is not going to give you cancer.

What to do: Foods with the most acrylamides are also the least nutritious. Use that knowledge to cut way back on the highest-acrylamide--and fattening--snacks, like french fries, potato chips, and cookies.